Demand Studios: The Fallout

Well, that was quick. Seriously Demand, must you insist on giving me so much ammunition with which to mock you?

Looks like casualties are already coming in. People who got into the prestigious First Look program are reporting their recent low scores on the forums. They are now down with us lowly writers. What really struck me, however, was one particular poster's indignation at Demand Media and its farce of an attempt at quality control.

In short, the author stated that not only was she upset by the incompetence of the editor who scored her, but she will also work with as little effort as possible from now on. Wow Demand, that's a new record. Not even a day has passed and already your program is backfiring. At this rate, quality will not be stagnant, it will be WORSE.

I'm starting to wonder what editors are thinking every time they throw that deadly "3" through the heart of a writer. Are they REALLY scoring our grammar, or are they just displaying their ignorance? Case in point, I just received a rewrite wherein the editor claimed I had not followed the DMS Gestapo's guidelines. I shot the article back, quoting every guideline that the CE questioned. When I looked at my average a few hours later, I noticed a drop.

No, CEs don't score after they accept a rewrite. They score it before they shoot it back at you. This presents a fundamental problem. If the CE mistakenly sends back a rewrite, it doesn't matter if you straighten him out or not. The damage is done and you're back at the bottom.

Yes, I realize the hypocrisy of this section, given that this entire hub sprang from a DMS forum post. However, I'd say this qualifies me to warn my fellow writers: STAY OFF THE FORUMS. Seriously, those places are a plethora of depression. Everyone's complaining how their lives are over and they're broke. Avoid this place like it's a minefield; a minefield littered with snakes, lava vents and evil mutant monkeys throwing evil mutant feces.

Considering recent events, I'm starting to wonder if these new initiatives are just a joke. I simply can't imagine a bunch of businesspeople in a boardroom agreeing that this whole thing was a good idea. I mean, seriously, did the conversation go like this?:

Corporate Lackey: "Okay guys, we need to improve quality. I say we take all the good performers and reduce their claim limits to 10 like all writers. Then, we encourage quality writing by saying anyone with a consistent average of 4.0 for the past 50 articles gets first dibs on new assignments that don't even exist. If anyone messes up, these writers -- who worked hard to earn those increased claim limits -- will be no better off and no more valued than those dumb average writers."

Richard Rosenblatt: "YES! That's the best idea since Pop Tarts! Grammar will improve and so will content. As we all know, writers who write well are automatic experts in ANY field. Oh, and don't forget to reveal this idea by starting with "We're excited to announce..." Corporate fluff speak, you know, to remind writers how happy they should be."

Okay Demand, I have an advanced Human Resources/Business Administration diploma and have worked in that capacity before. I know organizational dynamics. You guys have it all wrong. You don't value your writers' opinions, you ignore their concerns, you use evasive or dishonest language and you fire your veterans like it's a bodily function. Freelancers and editors are constantly at odds with each other, losing revenue over stupid disagreements. See the pattern here? You lack communication and encouragement, which are both critical for an organization to thrive. If your writers feel like you treat them like dirt, then they'll treat you like dirt. Simple as that.

Not only that, but you constantly hire new writers, despite months of low assignment availability. Why increase your applicant pool if you have nothing for those applicants to do?

Seriously guys. Put me in charge for a week. Send Richie off in his yacht that he earned off the blood, sweat and tears of gullible idiots like me.